Full Throttle

If you haven’t read any of Ricky Craven’s commentary you’re missing out. Since the beginning of the season he’s been a NASCAR analyst for Yahoo Sports.

His latest concerns the passing of Bill France Jr and includes an anecdote from his sophomore year in Cup.

At the time qualifying consisted of two sessions with the top twenty locked-in after the first. Those from 21st and below had the option to re-qualify in an effort to improve their speed, or they could stand on the previous time.

Tire allocation was also restricted (where have I heard that before) to only three sets of tires throughout practice and both rounds of qualifying.

Craven tagged the wall during his run and unknown to him the crew requested the use of a new set of tires for his last chance to make the field. Not knowing why, Ricky was summoned to the NASCAR transporter where France Jr. asked:

“Did you intentionally scrape the wall to get a new set of tires for the second round of qualifying?”

Ricky denied knowledge of the request or intentionally smacking the wall, France continued:

“Well, we have established a new rule today, and I am considering calling it ‘The Craven Rule,’ whereas all teams electing to re-qualify will receive a fourth set of tires.”

Ricky said his comment left him with a “sinking feeling,” but France followed with his signature grin and informed Craven the rule was “necessary, regardless of circumstance, and in the best interest of competition.”

Makes you wonder how much of that compassion and concern for what’s in the best interest of competition was passed on to son Brian France. It would explain some of the unusual and inconsistent penalties handed down in recent years. Then there’s that Conspiracy Thing so many cling to.

IN OTHER NEWS: Recently DEI (Don’t Expect Interest) has announced the purchase of a seven-post shaker, a critical piece of equipment the team had to borrow from JR Motorsports shops previously. Yesterday brought news DEI is setting up a dedicated team for testing led by Tony Eury Sr. The plan is to use Paul Menard, Kerry Earnhardt and developmental drivers for the team and hopes to start with a test at Kentucky later this month.

Odd isn’t it? Junior complained last month about the lack of a test team 2 months ago that DEI didn’t have an important piece of test/set-up equipment. Then he escapes for parts unknown.

Makes you wonder if DEI hasn’t closed the door after the Clydesdale bolted through the door.

MOST INTERESTING headline of the day: “Kurt Busch Looking for Another Strong Pocono Performance.” Are you sure Kurt? Guess we’ll find out later in the day.

FLASH, this is a Half-Vast Staff™ of Full Throttle News Alert:

We have semi-reliable (1 on a 10 scale) information and provided by an unnamed source (code name “New York Hack”) NASCAR has ordered changes to the CORN prior to this weekends Pocono 500.

It’s expected the changes to the splitter and front sheet metal (as pictured here) will assist drivers cure the CORN’s inability to turn through the center of corners.

UPDATE: Here is a quote (and images) by Juan “Don’t call me Pablo” Montoya about his appearance in Smoke”s Prelude to the Dream: “You know better than anybody how much I like having the car sideways, and actually to be sideways and in control is pretty cool.”